By Blessing Nweke

The final minutes of UCLA’s national championship triumph were as symbolic as they were celebratory, as head coach Cori Close subbed out her veteran starters one by one, marking the end of a remarkable era. Led by seniors Kiki Rice, Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, and graduate transfer Gianna Kneepkens, the Bruins capped their journey with a dominant 79–51 victory over South Carolina on Sunday.

Built around experience, UCLA’s roster leaned heavily on seasoned players, with eight of its 12 members classified as seniors or graduate students. That approach paid off emphatically. The Bruins’ veteran core delivered every point in the Final Four, showcasing cohesion and maturity rarely seen in modern college basketball.

The stakes were high entering the title game. With most of the rotation set to depart for the WNBA, this was UCLA’s prime opportunity to seize a championship. They did so in commanding fashion, extending their winning streak to 31 games and becoming the first Big Ten program to win the title since 1999.